Decoy.



G. A. GUNNINGHAM.

DEGOY.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 21. 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

CHARLES A. CUNNINGHAM, 0F CHICO, CALIFORNIA.

DECOY.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. CUNNING- HAM, of Chico, in the county ofButte and State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Decoys; and I hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in decoys for use by hunters to attractwater fowl, and its object is to provide a decoy that is very light;that can be used either on land or on water, and which can be knockeddown and nested for transport, so that a large number of them can bepacked into small space so as to be conveniently carried by the hunter.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following descriptionof the decoy illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view of a complete decoy constructed in accordance withthe invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the upper and lowerhalves of the decoy separated. Fig. 8 is a transverse section of adecoy. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views showing how the lower and upperparts of such decoys can be nested. Fig. 6 is a detail view of theconnecting device. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a spud.

The decoy is made in two longitudinal parts, preferably separable onsubstantially horizontal lines, so that the lower part 1 will form afloat and the upper part 2 will form a cover for the float. These partsare complemental, and when fitted together the decoy has approximatelythe form and appearance of the fowl to be decoyed, such as a goose orduck. As shown the lower part 1 has a neck portion 1 and a lower billportion 1*; while the upper part has a neck portion 2 and a head andupper bill portion 2 The parts may be made of any suitable material,such as aluminum; or fabric, compressed fiber, or papier mach, suitablywater proofed. The upper part 2 is provided on its edges with flanges 2*which fit over the edges of the part 1. These parts are preferably madeto fit neatly together so as to prevent ready inflow of water whentheparts are fitted together, as in Figs. 1 and 3; but it is not necessaryto have a water-tight joint therebetween.

The parts may be detachably united when Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 21, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910. Serial No. 518,855.

assembled by any suitable means; as shown,

and as at present preferred, a rod or tubu-- lar stem 3 is insertedthrough the bottom part 1 and has a threaded engagement with a retainer3 attached to the upper part 2. This retainer may be a nut as shown, andthe upper end of the stem 3 may be threaded as shown at 3 to engage saidnut. The retainer 3 may be fastened to part 2 in any convenient manner.The stem 3 may be inserted through a small aperture in the lower part 1and may be provided with a flange 3 which makes a close joint with theunder side of the part 1; or any suitable means may be employed to makea close but detachable joint between the stem 3 and the bottom part 1when the decoy is assembled.

A rod 4 of wood or metal may be con nected to the lower end of the stem3 and used as a spud to keep the decoy in position; or a weighted cord(not shown) may be attached to the lower end of the stem so as to keepthe decoy from floating too far away, and to recover it if it shouldsink. An opening 2 may be made in part 2 near the retainer 3 to admitthe fingers, and facilitate engagement of the stem with the retainerwhen assembling the parts.

When the decoys are to be stored or transported the stem is removed, andthe parts 1 and 2 separated; any number of similar parts 1 may be thennested together, as indicated in Fig. 4, and like parts 2 can be.similarly nested together as indicated in Fig. 5. Thus a large number ofthe decoys can be packed in a very small space. The manner of using thedecoy needs no explanation, being well known to sportsmen.

It will be observed that the line of division between the upper andlower portions of my decoy is such as gives both the general outline ofthe wings and mouth of the bird to be decoyed, thus affording a moredeceptive appearance to them.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent thereon is:

1. A decoy comprising a thin hollow body divided longitudinally andtransversely on a substantially median line, extending from end to endof the decoy, into upper and lower separable halves, the lower halfbeing adapted to float the decoy and the upper half adapted to fit overthe lower half to impart a bird-like appearance to the decoy, each halfbeing adapted when separated to be decoy and the upper half adapted tofit over the lower half to impart a bird-like appearance to the decoy,and means for detachably connecting the halves, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my signaturein presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES A. CUNNINGHAM.

Vitnesses:

C. L. STILSON, BERNICE BALLEW.

